A WAIKATO MYSTERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3510, 21 June 1921, Page 30

A WAIKATO MYSTERY.

SMALLFIELD’S BODY IDENTIFIED. DEATH DUE TO HEART FAILURE. HAMILTON, Juna 13. An adjourned inquest concerning the death of Cecil Robert Smallfield, whoso body was found in the Waikato Rover, was resumed this afternoon Dr M'Laurm, dominion analyist- (recalled), said he had written since the inquest to the coroner, and given the result of certain investigation*. He said that in certain circumstances minute quantities of carbolic acid could be nroduced in a dead body during the process of putrefaction. He quoted Berthlot in support of that statement. Witness gave references of authorities from which he had obtained new facts, but he had not found any authority who declared that carbolic acid formed in the body in large amounts after death. The last word had not been said on this subject. However, it had been known for some time that certain bacilli produced carbolic acid, but in small quantities, also it was known that small quantities of phonol (or carbolic acid) was produced during putrefaction after death. Probably this was due to the same bacilli which produced it during life. If this baecilus continued work during- life probably it would continue after death. It was probable that the baecilus in New Zeaktnd food was necessary for the production of a particular haoiili that formed the carbolic present in the body in question. Berthlot did not say the human body was tho best media for the production of carbolic *cid in the organs. The only case in his experience in which he found carbolic acid produced in a putrefying body after death was the o*?sa of a dog. Ho could not say whether the carbolic acid found in the dog was due to putrefaction or whether carbohc had been given to the dog. Berthlot only found bacillus in cases where the subjects suffered from intestinal trouble. He would not say that a person who had his appendix removed ninety ears ago would suffer from intestinal trouble. He would say that a person must have suffered from intestinal trouble where there were signs of inflammation in the intestines. The latest report to the coroner was not entirely speculative. lie had not found evidence which proved that more than small amounts could be formed. Berthlot was a man of some standing in his profession. Berthlot had said that further investigation was necessary in order to prove that bacillus could not exist in the bodies of healthy persons. Dr Hugh Douglas, surgeon, said that when superintendent of the Waikato Hospital in 1912 he removed the appendix from a patient named Cecil Robert Smallfield. To Counsel: An appendix once removed would not grow again. Assuming Dr Fector said he had examined a man and found an appendix had grown again ho would be making a mistake To the Coroner: An appendicitis scar would always remain, and on a body buried on the date mentioned, and exhumed later, .it would be possible to recognise it. To Counsel: After "eight years a scar of an appendicitis operation would grow fainter. Unless looked for closely it might escape observation, specially on a body immersed in water. Rust-on Crantvell. dentist, said he knew deceased, and treated him professionally. He gave details of a tooth missing. Dr Pinfold s description of a ton set found in the body was examined and found to bq correct. Witness had seen Smallfield shortly before death. Ho was quite normal, and not depressed. Sergeant Edwards sa ; d he had made inquiries from chemists in Auckland province, and no record of sales of carbohc to deceased was found. Constable Dixon said he recognised the body taken from the river as that of Smallfie'd, whom he knew well. Charles Linmier, deceased’s father-in-law, corroborated the previous witness’s evidenee. Mr Gilhes asked for v< cxhiunatb-n of the body in order to settle the matter of identification.

Mr Ostler objected, and said the evidence was sufficient. The inquest was further adjourned to allow the recall of Dr Pinfold, who made the post mortem examination. June 17. The Smallfield inquest was resumed today. Dr Waddell said he was present at the second exhumation of the body at Ngaruawahia on Tuesday. He examined the mouth and gave details of the teeth missing. Witness thought the appendix had been removed. He found no trace of it present. Ho produced the caecum to which the appendix should be attached. To Mr Gillies: The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, and it was only with considerable difficulty that the caecum was recognised. To the Coroner: The second left lower premolar was missing. This bore ou"t the testimony of Dr Pinfold on which he was severely cross-examined by the coroner at last hearing. It was not shown as missing on_ the chart. Dr Waddell (continuing) said he could not say whether there was a scar on the caecum, because it had decayed considerably. There was a hole in the cecum where the appendix would have been if it had not decayed off. A ring taken from tho coffin bore the inscription: “Congress of Jerusalem.” William John Dimmer, brother-in-law of deceased, said he presented the ring to Smallfield some time ago. Ruskin B. Cramvell, dentist, said he was present at the re-exhumation. He examined the body, and found it to be that of Smallfield. On examining the mouth he recognised his own work. The model produced coincided exactly with the charts taken from his surgery. The coroner adjourned the inquest till to-morrow morning for consideration. He said he would give his decision then. Juno 18. At the inquest on Cecil Robert Smallfield, tho coroner, after recapitulating the circumstances, aaid:—

Ihe evidence haa established beyond doubt the identity of deceased. The analysis made by the Dominion Analyst shqwod that there was sufficient carbolic acid in the body on March 16 to cause death if it had been in the body at the time of death. The evidence of the analyst showed that the poison pure carbolic aei.i could not be obtained from a druggist, me deceased could not, on the evidence, have taken it accidentally, arid any idea that it was administered by anyone else can with safety be set asidej The medical evidence showed that deceased did not die as the result of taking one dose only of the acid, and his actions and state of mind were inconsistent with his having taken repeated small doses. A possible explanation of the presence of carbolic acid was given by the Dominion Analyst—that the recently isolated organism, bacillus phenologones, being present in the bodv, might have produced li/e carbolic avid found. It is clear from the evidence that the first posit mortem was incomplete. Even if the heart was found to be abnormal in structure, as was stated, the practitioners should not have concluded the examination without having excluded all other possible causes of death. The medical authorities show that certain cerebral hemorrhages could cause death instantaneously; it, is also possible that the heart of a person in sound health might fail owing to unusual exertion in cold water ; and, further, the presence of carbolic acid in the system might cause shock and heart failure. There are other possible causes of deceased’s death, but in tno absence ot any convincing evidence of a definite cause of death. I can find onlv that deceased dic'd from heart failure. The corner added: “ In view of the adverse comments made in court, and considering the amount of the insurance policies and the oilier extraordinary circumstances, in my opinion the officers of the insurance organisn’ ions would have failed in their duty to policy-holder' had they •not assisted in the investigations.”